January's New Recipe

Every month I want to make to make something new. I had intended to make cashew chicken, but haven't found the perfect recipe. Then face book got in the way, and some thing a little more interesting got in the way. Mountain Dew Jelly.

That's right Mountain Dew Jelly. It's very pretty and tastes very lemony.
Take 3 1/4 cup mountain dew and boil it with 2 tbsp. of lemon juice for 3 minutes. Let cool. Then follow sure jell directions and for sugar add 4 1/2 cups. At the end you'll need to use a water bath to seal.

Now for that Cashew Chicken recipe. Can someone tell me why I bought whipping cream?

It's not about the past

This year I watched my oldest get married. Something I never really thought I'd get to do-she had an intense dislike of commitment. Watching her grow up through the years, I imagined she'd get married at St. Edwards or maybe the Cathedral until her teen years hit-then I kissed those dreams good bye and hoped that one day she wouldn't hate the idea of marriage. I guess time and the right man can change everything. It rained on her wedding day. Something that's supposed to bring good luck. During one of those little showers, I asked her what were we going to do if it kept raining. She looked at me with a straight face and told me we'd get wet. She was getting married outside no if's, ands, or buts. I like to think that Marty told Jesus to knock it off and that he listened.
At the base of Beth's bouquet is a little charm, it has a picture of her grandparents holding her for the first time so they were with her as she walked down the isle.
All in all, it might not have been a perfect wedding. There was rain, the weather got a little cool, a lot of country music played, and there were some important guests that watched from above the clouds but the family that was there made everything wonderful and gave me something to laugh about. Our family may not have any rhythm but we dance anyway. I could really feel love everywhere.
My cousin has a son that says it's never about the past. Everything's about the future. Ben is right, everything is about the future. It's about making more memories and living a little bit more. Learning new things and new experiences. Sometimes those new experiences are with people you've known and loved all your life.

Thought for the day

"I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright.


I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more.

I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive.

I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger.

I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.

I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.

I wish enough "Hello's" to get you through the final "Good-bye.."



written by Bob Perks

Frost Flower

A frost flower is a name commonly given to a condition in which thin layers of ice are extruded from long-stemmed plants in autumn or early winter. The thin layers of ice are often formed into exquisite patterns that curl into "petals" that resemble flowers

 I saw these an the web and thought they were pretty. Imagine my surprise and delight at finding some down by the Buffalo River today.

Christmas 2013

 

This is my Grandson Xander talking to Santa for the very first time. He wasn't scared but was impressed that Santa gave away candy canes (reminded me of Paul Schuller at that age). Later he decided that Santa's hat needed to come off.

The kids came up on the Sunday before Christmas to celebrate with us. It was great seeing everyone even for a short time. I really enjoyed seeing everyone visit. Seeing Shane and Xander play. Watching Beth and Lauren and Ashley talk and share experiences. Watching Xander with Melly and Loki (don't know who loved who more). Paul, Heath, and Ralph were perfect gentlemen. I am so proud of all of the kids. I know that everything I do is not perfect, but when I look at the adults they have become. I know I did something perfectly right. My darling husband bought me a shiny new ring too-when I am old (like I am now). I will wear purple.

Christmas isn't easy-don't make it harder

Christmas isn't easy for everyone. I know it's not. This year my kids will be missing a grandma that was very dear to them. Many, many years ago my grandmother went into the hospital on Christmas eve never to return to her home or loved ones. Once upon a time Dwight lost his grandpa that meant the world to him at Christmas time. When his family has the annual family Christmas party, and people talk about "Grandma and Grandpa" Dwight's eyes aren't smiling. I would do anything I could just to erase that glimpse of hurt that I see in his eyes, but I can't. That's one of the hardest things I've ever learned about myself-I can't fix everything. I've asked God and Santa for help on this one, but neither one is being very cooperative. There are so many people that need some help. I've tried so many times to have the "perfect" Christmas- and it doesn't exist. Christmas is just like happiness-it's what you make it. You can gripe about all the people you don't get to see, but why not celebrate the ones that you do? I can't see Lee this year, but I know Robyn will. I could be sad about missing out on this "sister" time, but I keep hearing them giggle as children. Goodness, they could really get into some messes. Now it's scarier but they've got wisdom and experience to help them out. I can only imagine what the two of them will do. I won't get to see Beth on Christmas Day, but I know she'll wake up in her husband's arms. I hope they remember to kiss under the mistletoe.  I'll get to celebrate with most of my kids early and my parents late, but I'll get to see them.  Everything won't be perfect-it never will be but snowballs don't have to be round to fly. Angels don't have to be seen to be felt.

Toy Run #1

 Today we (Dwight and myself) complete a toy run from the square in Harrison to the VFW in Jasper. This was the first toy run we have done. There were between thirty and forty bikes. I stopped counting at 31 and I'm sure I missed some because like little kids, bikers can't stay still for five minutes. We pulled off the square at exactly one o'clock because the bells on the square where ringing. Everyone lined up in staggered procession- and there were guards that blocked the stop signs and red lights so the group could stay together. All the toys couldn't fit under the tree- and I have no idea how much cash was collected, but it was a fun afternoon for a worthy cause.